“The process of de-rationing began in 1948, making slow progress until 1953 when eggs, cream, butter, cheese, margarine and cooking fats were taken off ration.

“Sugar and sweets were also taken off ration in 1953 and meat in 1954. People were generally healthier due to the effects of rationing and the more strictly controlled diets.

“Milk was delivered daily by the farmer on his horse drawn milk cart carrying urns of milk. The milk was scooped out of the urn into a jug.

“Sunday lunch was usually roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Milk like most other food products having a very short shelf life had to be stored safely, often in a cool cellar.

“Meat and other short life consumables were either stored on a stone slab and covered or placed in a meat safe, a type of storage cupboard. Its door was covered with a perforated metal panel to allow air circulation and keep out flies.

“Flies were a major problem, particularly in warm weather. They were often caught on a length of sticky fly paper hanging from the light fitting.

“With no central heating we had to rely on open coal fires. The grate had to be cleared of ashes daily, and the fire then re-set and lit. If the wood was wet, a draw-tin or sheet of newspaper (rather dangerous as it often caught fire) was placed over the fireplace opening to draw the flames up the flue.

“Special firelighters treated with paraffin were placed under the wood to start the fire more easily.

“As coal was rationed, coke was often bought from the gas works (at the end of North Road), or briquettes from Shaw Cross colliery. Briquettes were formed from coal dust and cement.

“They left behind a messy black dust after burning.

“Chimney flues often got clogged up with soot and so had to be swept, otherwise they could catch fire, for which the fire brigade was called out to fight.

“If this occurred too often, a charge could be made by the Fire Service

“Radios were known as Cats Whiskers due to the type of aerial they had but the reception was often very poor.

“The aerial had to be moved around in order to improve reception.

“The radios were operated by storage batteries known as accumulators, and these had to be returned to a supplier for the acid to be replaced.”

Next week Harold will be writing about Dewsbury shops in those days, not only in Ravensthorpe, but in the town centre as well.

If you have childhood memories you wish to share, please contact me at tresham3@gmail.com.

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